Boko Haram Militants Engaged In Fierce Fighting With Nigerian Military For City Of Maiduguri.
Scores Die in Nigeria Fighting Between Military and Boko Haram...
Fighters belonging to the Islamist group Boko Haram are engaged in fierce fighting with the Nigerian military, after launching an attack on the key city of Maiduguri in the north east of the country, according to reports.
"Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorists," the country's Defense Headquarters announced on Twitter.
Nigerian authorities added that a curfew was in effect in the city, and that coordinated air and ground operations were being launched to tackle the threat.
Maiduguri is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled from Boko Haram attacks elsewhere, and was recently visited by Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, according to the BBC.
Residents said that militants first attacked on the outskirts of the city around 5 a.m. Local time (11 p.m. Saturday EST), but met with resistance from troops stationed in the area, according to AFP.
Reports from Nigerian media outlets and social media suggest that, in addition to regular military forces, civilian volunteers are also engaged in the battle against the militants.
